DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
AND CLIMATE CHANGE News Release (2009/058) issued by COI News
Distribution Service on 5 June 2009
UK publishes Kyoto
progress report on World Environment Day
The UK remains on track to almost double its greenhouse gas
reduction obligations under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change,
a new report to the United Nations released by the Department of
Energy and Climate Change (DECC) reveals today.
As communities across the globe mark United Nations World
Environment Day, the report shows that UK greenhouse gas emissions
are expected to be about 23% below 1990 levels by 2010 - well in
excess of the target of 12.5% set out under the Kyoto agreement.
The report highlights the importance of international agreements
in reducing carbon emissions, and comes as the world prepares to
gather in Copenhagen at the end of this year to reach an historic
deal on climate change action. It also comes as officials meet at
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn this week,
to begin negotiations for the deal, which will replace the current
Kyoto agreement.
Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock will discuss the report at
the Cheltenham Science Festival today, where she will take part in
a debate on "Climate Change: whose responsibility?" with
the head of the Sustainable Development Commission, Jonathon
Porritt.
Joan Ruddock said:
"Our latest report to the UN shows what can be achieved when
Government, communities and business work together to reduce
emissions. We already have significant achievements under our
belt, but we know there is more to be done - we must continue to
work urgently to reduce our emissions further and faster.
"But our progress report tells those who claim there is no
alternative to a high-carbon society: there is an alternative.
We're creating an alternative.
"We know that individual actions account for more than 40%
of emissions, so I would urge people around the country to use
World Environment Day as a chance to assess their own impact on
the environment, and take steps to reduce their individual carbon footprint."
To help people understand the negotiations at Copenhagen, the
Government will soon launch a new website, which will contain
information on what it hopes to achieve with a global deal, and
links to other websites where citizens can sign a number of
pledges calling on world Governments to work together to reach agreement.
To promote the new website, DECC has joined forced with The Isle
of Wight Festival, which recently put measures in place to make it
a more sustainable event with a series of Eco Actions. As part of
the Eco Action promotion a message from Energy and Climate Change
Secretary Ed Miliband will be broadcast to festival-goers on the
main stage throughout the event from June 12-14, encouraging
people to visit the new website and sign up to the campaign to
reach a global deal.
The report to the UN outlines the policies and programmes in
place which are helping the UK nearly double its emissions
reductions targets, as well as future policies which help continue
to reduce emissions in the long-term. These include the
groundbreaking Climate Change Act, which puts the UK on the path
to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050; a comprehensive
home energy efficiency programme; ambitious plans for more
renewables, nuclear, and low-carbon fossil fuels; and championing
of emissions targets for road vehicles, aviation and industry in Europe.
Note to editors:
1. The UK's Fifth National Communication under the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change reports on the UK's
progress towards meeting our greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets under the current global climate change protocol. A full
copy of the communication will be available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/change_energy/the issue/strategy/strategy.aspx
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